Just back from RIU Palace-My Wedding 5/11/13

[Houstonnlh]

[sophieamanda]

Originally Posted by Houstonnlh 

 

Thanks Sophieamanda!

 

I'm not 100% sure what you mean by choosing 2 options. My wedding was the only wedding that day so I pretty much just told her where I wanted the reception and it worked out. I'm not sure how it would work if there was more than one wedding in the same day.....

Cabo Escape was ~$3,000 and we had 60 people that went. It was so much fun! We did pre-book it because the orginal boat we wanted got rented out early so I started getting nervous. LOL. There is a rehearsal dinner included in the wedding package so you could use that as a backup if you get down there and the boat thing doesn't work out. But, if you really want to do the cruise, I would book in advance just to be safe.

 

Sorry, I should have been more specific.. I meant did you get to choose two menu options. But I guess with a buffet that would be irrelevant. I don't think I will be able to have the buffet as we will have about 40 guests. Did you personalize a lot of the decor in the Baja Norte location? I am hoping to hang paper lanterns, match the table liner and serviettes to my wedding colors, etc... I have read on other posts that Jazz is great with setting all of this up. How was your experience with this?

 

Also, what time was your wedding? Mine is at 5:30 PM, so we the guests will be kind of left on their own for about an hour until they can go to the Baja Norte at 7:00 PM. I plan to just inform everyone to meet at the same bar to have a few cocktails during that hour. Then they can go to the reception location at 7:00 and have some more cocktails until we arrive at 7:30-8. What did you do for this situation while you took pictures after the ceremony?

 

Thanks so much for responding so quickly! I really hope Jazz replied to all my questions soon so I can start ordering supplied online. I love your "muchos gracias" sign, super cute for thank you cards!!

[marcoloscabos]

You know something Houstonnlh? You guys make sense together! I Loved your wedding, I loved your pictures and now I love you guys!!!!!

Life will give you everything you need so you can build a strong a beautiful marriage together.

 

All the best!!!!!!!

 

 

 

Rev. Marco Arechiga  Wedding Minister

t:       011 52 (624) 173.0005

c:      011 52 (624) 122.5090

m:     reverend@marcoarechiga.com   

w:      www.marcoarechiga.com

 

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[brgephar]

Houstonnlh CONGRATS! You looked stunning and everything about your big day turned out great... so happy for you! If you would't mind sending me the spreadsheets from the WC that would be incredible, as I'm not getting any response from her.  Also - how many people do you have to have to do a buffet dinner? For some reason I was thinking 50 but I'm not positive.. I'm afraid we won't make it to that number and I just don't see a plated dinner at Baja Norte - that cost adds up quickly!

 

Thanks so much for sharing your review. I think I speak for a lot of us when I say that it can get nerve-wrecking when you don't see many reviews from the last few months and your wedding is coming up fast! You're awesome

[Houstonnlh]

Originally Posted by sophieamanda 

 

 

Sorry, I should have been more specific.. I meant did you get to choose two menu options. But I guess with a buffet that would be irrelevant. I don't think I will be able to have the buffet as we will have about 40 guests. Did you personalize a lot of the decor in the Baja Norte location? I am hoping to hang paper lanterns, match the table liner and serviettes to my wedding colors, etc... I have read on other posts that Jazz is great with setting all of this up. How was your experience with this?

 

Also, what time was your wedding? Mine is at 5:30 PM, so we the guests will be kind of left on their own for about an hour until they can go to the Baja Norte at 7:00 PM. I plan to just inform everyone to meet at the same bar to have a few cocktails during that hour. Then they can go to the reception location at 7:00 and have some more cocktails until we arrive at 7:30-8. What did you do for this situation while you took pictures after the ceremony?

 

Thanks so much for responding so quickly! I really hope Jazz replied to all my questions soon so I can start ordering supplied online. I love your "muchos gracias" sign, super cute for thank you cards!!

There are actually a few different buffet options and then for the plated dinner I think there were a few options (Surf and Turf-$80; Fish/Chicken-$40ish). My issue was I didn't want to have to ask that many people exactly what they wanted to eat so the buffet worked out. Also, I didn't have to do a seating chart either...call me lazy I don't know if you need 50 people to do the buffet, but that does sound right... Maybe someone else has done the plated dinner and has good ideas about how to make that work? I'm sure it's not as difficult as it sounded in my mind. haha

 

As for decorations....I took the minimalist approach. It is SO PRETTY on its own, I just did all white linens and chair bows, white orchid floating centerpieces surrounded by votive candles and a few rose petals in my wedding colors. I personalized the centerpieces (direct emails with Alina/Claudia from Emporio-- $55/each. When I get some pictures I will post) and then I personalized the cake table/guest table with rose petals, fresh flowers, a few pictures. Jazz will take care of all of this the day of the wedding. I saw a girl who got married the night before me and she had lanterns, they looked great. I just did the DJ and lighting package and was happy with that.

 

Our wedding was at 6pm and we finished pictures at 7:15/7:30 pm. We had the mariachis playing near baja norte where there is an open bar (it's just the quiet pool bar during the day). Our guests were fine with an open bar, taking pictures of the arches, visiting, and the mariachi music. This was their time to kind of just have a cocktail hour and enjoy the scenery. If you don't want the guests to arrive so much time before you do, you could have them go to the piano bar I guess, but I think it was just easier to have them at the reception place. I was also kind of worried how this would turn out but think of how many weddings you have been to where you are waiting on the bride and groom....just the way it goes! As long as people have food, drinks, and scenery, they will be fine We didn't even do the food and they were fine with drinks... it's an all inclusive so people know to eat a late lunch or whatever...

[Houstonnlh]

Originally Posted by brgephar 

 

Houstonnlh CONGRATS! You looked stunning and everything about your big day turned out great... so happy for you! If you would't mind sending me the spreadsheets from the WC that would be incredible, as I'm not getting any response from her.  Also - how many people do you have to have to do a buffet dinner? For some reason I was thinking 50 but I'm not positive.. I'm afraid we won't make it to that number and I just don't see a plated dinner at Baja Norte - that cost adds up quickly!

 

Thanks so much for sharing your review. I think I speak for a lot of us when I say that it can get nerve-wrecking when you don't see many reviews from the last few months and your wedding is coming up fast! You're awesome

Absolutely, I am happy to help! Do NOT worry, I think the RIU Palace is underrated! Everything was so beautiful and our guests had SO MUCH FUN. Seriously, people are still talking about the trip. That being said, I'm somewhat of a type B personality. But come on....the tequila is flowing, the grounds are stunning, and the food is pretty good. What is there to worry about? I do think you need 50 for the buffet, but I'm not sure on that.  The plated dinner if you don't do the steak is around $38/per person I think. Compared to having a wedding at home I thought that was pretty good? I know it adds up, though.

 

I can't wait to hear all of your reviews when you get back!

[Jess4219]

Hello Everyone Planning Their Wedding at Riu Palace,

 

I can't believe it's almost going to be a year already since I got married there in August 2012. I remember around this time last year reading all the great forums and using all the great information to plan my wedding. My husband and I read a lot and we did our homework.  Future brides....You are going to love the Riu Palace. Do not panic!!! Be patient with the wedding coordinators. They are really busy planning and organizing all the current weddings. They will respond and they are really helpful. Our WC kylene was great. Our travel agent, Teresa Sterlingfrom Vacation For Less was awesome.READ OUR REVIEW on one of the forums under our account. There's some pictures on there too.  

 

Congratulation Houstonnlh,

 

Your wedding came out great!!! That's awesome!! You look outstanding!!! Sounds like everyone had a BLAST!! Guess what....so did we. Our guests and us are still talking about it almost a year later. Sounds like we have similar tastes:  Rev Marco was so cool and he did a great job for us (in English and Spanish), the Baja Norte is the perfect location, great choice on the flowers (see some orange fusia in there), the DJ and lighting package was perfect. We like nice things Houstonnlh. Everyone planning their wedding at the Riu........listen to Houstonnlh. I couldn't agree more with her. We did a lot of similar things and our weddings came out great. We also had a lively group and rented the same cruise ship as a Welcoming Party for all our guests and had a blast. The resort is awesome. I also believe the Riu is underrated. High Five Houstonnlh. I am really happy for you. Our weddings were the BOMB!!!

 

Good luck to future Riu brides.